coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv 

: serving or intended to coerce

coercive power

coercive measures

coercively adverb

coerciveness noun

Examples of coercive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to information provided to the court, that witness is expected to testify about coercive interrogation techniques and how memory becomes less reliable over time. — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

According to analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Beijing has deployed coercive agriculture trade restrictions 26 times since 2010, including five in 2025 alone. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

The feature could help someone facing a violent thief or another coercive situation. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Physical assault is against the law, and verbal attacks, coercive control and intimidation are abusive behavior and are unacceptable regardless of gender. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coercive

• coercive force

Rhymes for coercive

• cursive
• aversive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• recursive
• subversive

Legal Definition

coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv 

1

: serving or intended to coerce

2

: resulting from coercion

to protect women from coercive intimacy

—Kimberle Crenshaw